Question

What were the causes and effects of the arms race and proxy wars in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East? @ExoticInspirit

Answer 1

Proxy wars can have a huge impact, especially on the local area. The Syrian Civil War, a proxy war with Saudi Arabia, the USA and the EU on one side and Iran and Russia on the other, has resulted in the deaths of 220,000 people and the displacement of over one million. Another proxy war with significant effects was the Vietnam War between the USA and the USSR. In particular, the bombing campaign Operation Rolling Thunder destroyed lots of infrastructure, making life more difficult for North Vietnamese citizens. In addition, unexploded bombs dropped during the campaign have killed tens of thousands since the war ended, not only in Vietnam, but in Cambodia and Laos too.Also significant was the Soviet-Afghan War, which cost millions of lives and billions of dollars, bankrupting the Soviet Union and contributing to its collapse. I know that the proxy wars had killed more than 1,000 people in Yemen in just one month.

Answer 2

Also most of the groups fighting them are paramilitary.

Answer 3

Thank you!! @ExoticInspirit

Answer 4

You're welcome! Also the causes for proxy wars are military strength of the two countries. Let's say that Country A and Country B are bitter enemies, and Country A is significantly stronger than Country B. If Country B wants to eliminate Country A, then it is in Country B's best interest to use a proxy war, since Country B doesn't stand a chance in direct conflict.

Also, democracies and international reaction are causes for them.